“It is the will of God that I should leave the world and serve Him alone.” – St. J

“At that time(1416), the war had broken out between the Malatesta and the Perugians, and I was sent to arrange terms of peace. But, when I came to a certain tower(I was taken prisoner, and) my feet were fettered in irons of forty-two pounds weight, and no other nourishment was allowed me but bread and water. In this unfortunate situation, I began to consider how I could escape death, and calculated the height of the tower. I happened to have a sash which I tore into strips with my teeth for want of a knife, and when I had tied these together and added my hood they were still as high from the ground as St. Christopher’s. “After fixing this rope to the top of the wall, I began to descend; but the hood broke. I fell to the ground, injured my feet, and could go no further. Moreover the guards were aroused by the irons clashing together. I was captured again and imprisoned in the basement of the tower where the water reached half-way up my legs. I was bound with a chain round my waist so that I was compelled to remain standing, and only a crust of bread was given me with a little water daily. “After three days, I fell asleep through weakness. As I slept, it seems to me that a great noise was made, and awakening, I saw a beam of sunlight illuminating the whole tower. Then, as I raised my head to give thanks to God, I saw a Friar Minor, stigmatized in his feet, who disappeared when I tried to embrace him. Bending back my head, I found myself shaven, just as you see me now. I knew for certainty that this friar minor was Our Holy Father St. Francis. At last, I perceived that it was the will of God that I should leave the world and serve him alone. Therefore I applied at once for my liberation, which I purchased at the price of four hundred ducats. At once I ordered all the books and clothing I possessed to be sold, and went back to capistrano because of my betrothed. I made known my fixed purpose and determination to leave the world and serve God. At my entreaty she promised not to marry, but later on she married twice and was at length attacked by leprosy. I returned the dowry to her and to my mother; and when all was paid, I gave what was left to the poor of Jesus Christ. Then returning to Perugia, I put a cap on my head with all my sins written upon it and rode backwards on an ass so as to overcome the miserable world. As I rode thus through the streets of perugia, the children came in crowds and threw mud at me. In this condition of reproach, I went to the friars and put on their habit. Blessed be that day!  I believe I was thirty years old at the time, and now I have been a minor for thirty-one years. May God deign to make us to do His will.” St. John Capistran, Ora Pro Nobis.